Derwent Park - Lutana

Population growth drivers in Derwent Park - Lutana are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Derwent Park - Lutana's population is around 4,648 as of Feb 2026. This reflects a decrease of 61 people (1.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,709 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,632 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 36 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 944 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 66.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth by age group in the years post-2032, the Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year, are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australian statistical areas is expected, with the area expected to increase by 408 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 8.4% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Derwent Park - Lutana is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Derwent Park - Lutana has recorded around 7 residential properties granted approval per year, totalling 37 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 3 approvals have been recorded. With an average of only 0.2 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts, while new homes are being built at an average value of $186,000—below the regional average—suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. Additionally, $9.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development.

When measured against Greater Hobart, Derwent Park - Lutana records markedly lower building activity (65.0% below regional average per person). This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. This is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints. Meanwhile, recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 912 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Derwent Park - Lutana will gain 392 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Derwent Park - Lutana has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 16 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) Expansion, Royal Hobart Showgrounds Redevelopment (Wilkinsons Point Precinct), Hobart City High School redevelopment, and Wilkinsons Point Precinct, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment drivers in Derwent Park - Lutana are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Derwent Park - Lutana has a well-educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of 7.4%, and 0.8% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 2,262 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 3.4% above Greater Hobart's rate of 4.0%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation is broadly similar to Greater Hobart's 64.0%. Based on Census responses, a low 5.2% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 4.2% versus the regional average of 6.6%. With 1.3 workers for every resident, as at the Census, the area functions as an employment hub, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.8% and the labour force decreased by 0.2%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.9 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Hobart recorded employment growth of 0.1%, a labour force decline of 0.1%, and unemployment falling 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Derwent Park - Lutana. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Derwent Park - Lutana's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Derwent Park - Lutana SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $52,748 with the average level standing at $57,271. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $54,577 and $65,190 across Greater Hobart respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.6% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $57,812 (median) and $62,769 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Derwent Park - Lutana all fall between the 20th and 24th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows 31.0% of the population (1,440 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen at regional levels where 32.2% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 19th percentile.

Derwent Park - Lutana is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure within Derwent Park - Lutana, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 88.4% houses and 11.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Hobart metro's 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Derwent Park - Lutana lagged that of Hobart metro, at 28.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (30.5%) or rented (41.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Hobart metro average at $1,300, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $325, compared to Hobart metro's $1,517 and $350. Nationally, Derwent Park - Lutana's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Derwent Park - Lutana features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households dominate at 63.4% of all households, comprising 20.6% couples with children, 23.8% couples without children, and 17.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.6%, with lone person households at 31.2% and group households comprising 5.3% of the total. The median household size of 2.4 people matches the Greater Hobart average.

Derwent Park - Lutana faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's educational profile stands out regionally, with university qualification rates (29.4% of residents aged 15+) exceeding the SA3 area average of 23.3% and that of TAS (25.5%), reflecting the community's emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees lead at 17.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 31.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (7.7%) and certificates (23.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.3% of residents aged 15+ currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 6.3% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Public transport analysis reveals 61 active transport stops operating within Derwent Park - Lutana, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 120 individual routes, collectively providing 10,051 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 122 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 83%, with 10% by bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 5.2% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 1,435 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 164 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Derwent Park - Lutana is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Critical health challenges are evident across Derwent Park - Lutana, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A range of health conditions have marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,212 people). This compares to 51.7% across Greater Hobart and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 11.7% and 8.9% of residents, respectively, while 64.0% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 65.5% across Greater Hobart. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 18.3% of residents aged 65 and over (851 people), which is lower than the 19.9% in Greater Hobart. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Derwent Park - Lutana was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Derwent Park - Lutana is more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets, with 24.8% of its population born overseas and 21.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Derwent Park - Lutana is Christianity, which makes up 34.1% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Hinduism, which comprises 7.0% of the population, compared to 2.8% across Greater Hobart.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Derwent Park - Lutana are English, comprising 28.4% of the population, Australian, comprising 27.3% of the population, and Other, comprising 11.5% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Indian is notably overrepresented at 3.3% of Derwent Park - Lutana (vs 1.2% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 4.2% (vs 3.0%) and Polish at 0.8% (vs 0.8%).

Derwent Park - Lutana's population is younger than the national pattern

With a median age of 35, Derwent Park - Lutana is materially younger than the Greater Hobart figure of 39 as well as slightly below Australia's 38 years. The 25 - 34 age group shows strong representation at 21.3% compared to Greater Hobart, whereas the 15 - 24 cohort is less prevalent at 8.7%. This 25 - 34 concentration is well above the national 14.4%. In the period since 2021, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 13.6% to 17.1% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 11.7% to 9.5% and the 15 to 24 group dropped from 10.7% to 8.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Derwent Park - Lutana's age structure. Leading the demographic shift, the 45 to 54 group will grow by 69% (300 people), reaching 733 from 432. Meanwhile, both the 25 to 34 and 65 to 74 age groups will see reduced numbers.